SUPERSTARstruck: The Nora Aunor Fanatics Blog

“Hindi ko po mapapantayan, at wala pong makakapantay, dahil nag-iisa lang po siya. Pero sa maliit ko pong paraan, gusto ko pong magbigay ng tribute sa nag-iisang Superstar, si Ms. Nora Aunor.”

Ito ang paunang salita ni Angel, one of today’s biggest stars, bago basahin ang excerpt mula sa script ng Himala, kasama sa aklat na Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon ni Maestro Ricky Lee. Bahagi ito ng programa sa paglulunsad ng espesyal na edisyon ng libro na ginanap sa Powerbooks Megamall noong May 31, 2009.

Matapos makipagbatuhan ng ilang linya kay Vangie Labalan, ina ni Elsa sa pelikula, binigkas na ni Angel ang imortal na linya ni Elsa sa burol, maituturing na most memorable lines sa pelikulang Filipino.

“Ipinatawag ko kayong lahat dahil may gusto akong ikumpisal. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, sa loob lamang ng maikling panahon, parang naranasan natin ang magkahalong langit at impiyerno. Maraming sakit ang gumaling, maraming tao ang bumuti at nagkaroon ng pananampalataya. Pero nakakita rin tayo ng kamatayan, ng epidemya, ng pagpuputa, ng krimen at panloloko.

“Kapag may masamang nangyayari, isinisisi natin ang sumpa. Isinumpa ang Cupang, itinaboy kasi natin ang maysakit kaya gano’n. Kapag may mabuti namang nangyayari, sinasabi nating ito’y gawa ng langit, gawa ng himala.

“Meron akong ipagtatapat sa inyo. … Walang himala. Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao. Nasa puso nating lahat. Tayo ang gumagawa ng himala. Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at mga Diyos. Hindi totoong buntis ako dahil sa himala. Hindi totoong nagpakita sa akin ang Mahal na Birhen. Walang himala. Hindi totoo ang himala. Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at ng mga Diyos. Walang himala …”

Di tulad sa pelikula, walang namang bumaril kay Angel pagdating sa huling linya. Bagkus, sinalubong ang kanyang delivery ng masigabong palakpakan at pagbubunyi, lalo na sa hanay ng mga Noranian na nakiisa sa paglulunsad. Waring nakahinga ng maluwag si Angel sa mainit na pagtanggap ng audience.

Hindi tinularan ni Angel ang delivery ng Superstar sa mga dakilang linya mula sa panulat ni Ricky Lee. Binigkas niya ito ayon sa sariling pagkaunawa at pagdama sa teksto ng script. Dahil dito, lumabas itong orihinal, natural, at kanyang-kanya.

Tumanggap ng papuri si Angel mula sa awtor. Sabi ni Ricky Lee nang mag-speech ito: “Sincere na artista si Angel … Kaya niyang makuha ang nagawa ni Nora hindi para pantayan kundi para magawa ang sinasabi niyang tribute dahil sincere siyang tao … at nagawa niya.”

Tulad sa paglulunsad ng Para Kay B, unang nobela ni Ricky Lee, ang launch ng Si Tatang at mga Himala ay pagtitipon ng mga kaibigan ng awtor. Kinilala ni Ricky ang halaga ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya:

“Lahat ng mga akdang nasa loob ng aklat ay mga akdang nasulat ko sa loob ng dalawampung taon mula noong late ’60s hanggang sa late ’80s. At lahat sila ay nasulat dahil nakapalibot ako noon sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin, mga kaibigan. Halos karamihan ng nasusulat ko, nasusulat ko dahil may mga taong nagmamahal sa akin at mga kaibigan … ”

Tumayong guro ng palatuntunan si Ricky Davao. Nagbigay ng paunang salita si Bienvenido Lumbera, Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Panitikan. Kabilang sa mga nagbasa ng sipi sa aklat sina Ms. Chanda Romero, Phillip Salvador, Ms. Jaclyn Jose, Ogie Alcasid, Dingdong Dantes, Jean Garcia, Nanding Josef, Alan Paule, Prof. Danton Remoto, at Robi Domingo. Naging masining ang pagbasa ng lahat ng mga artista, lalo na sina Phillip Salvador at Nanding Josef. Nagpasaya sa audience ang nakakaaliw na excerpt na binasa nina Ogie Alcasid, Jean Garcia, at Danton Remoto.
 
Dumating sa paglulunsad si Matet De Leon, ipinakilala bilang siyang ipinabubuntis daw ni Elsa sa pelikula. Humabol din si Ms. Melanie Marquez.

Text by Nestor De Guzman; Photos by Manny P, Paolo Herras, and Nestor De Guzman

Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, Ricky Lee’s groundbreaking anthology, will be reissued as a special collector’s edition in a book launch on May 31, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. at Power Books – Megamall Bldg. A.

First released in 1988, Si Tatang combines Lee’s feature articles, interviews, and short stories, including “Servando Magdamag” and “Kabilang sa mga Nawawala.” It also features the full screenplay of the Nora Aunor-starrer Himala, which recently won CNN Viewers' Choice as the Best Asia Pacific Film of All Time, besting Akira Kurosawa and Wong Kar Wai films in the process.

This special edition features a new cover design, improved layout, new photographs and illustrations, plus 28 additional pages with a reprinted feature about Direk Lino Brocka written after his death in 1992 and a newly written article on the making of Himala that relates never-before-revealed behind-the-scene anecdotes. A must-read for film scholars and enthusiasts.

Ricky Lee is also the author of Trip to Quiapo, considered the Filipino scriptwriting bible. His successful first novel Para kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin) continues to capture the readers' imagination and has been reprinted barely three months after it was launched last November.

Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon will be available come May 31 at all Power Books and National Bookstore branches. Pre-orders will get a P70.00 discount from the regular price (P450.00) until May 31 through Jerry at 928-9557 / 0921-7849363/ 0917-5331948 or through e-mail writers.studio12@ gmail.com. Special gifts will be given to those who can bring copies of the old edition during the launch.

Tinanghal si Nora Aunor bilang “Aktres na may Pinakamataas na Papuri” sa 11th PASADO Gawad Sining Sine na ginanap sa Manila Grand Opera Hotel, May 16, 2009. Ang kanyang tropeo ay tinanggap ng kaibigang si Ricky Lee, na ginawaran din ng parangal bilang “Manunulat na may Pinakamataas na Papuri.” Unang recipients ng naturang awards sina Ate Guy at Sir Ricky.

Isa sa highlights ng gabi ang parangal sa Himala bilang “Pasadong Pelikula sa Lahat ng Panahon.” Sabi sa binasang citation:  

“Ang Himala ay isang pelikulang nananatiling pinakapaborito at pinakaepektibo na kagamitan sa pagtuturo ... Pabalik-balik pa rin itong ipinalalabas, mainit pa ring pinag-uusapan, at walang sawang pinag-aaralan. Hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin itong umaani ng parangal sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, kabilang na rito ang pagkilala ng CNN bilang Best Film of All Time in the Asia-Pacific region nitong nakaraang taon.

“Ngayong gabi, bukod sa pagkilala ng PASADO sa magaling na direktor nito na si Ishmael Bernal, pinararangalan ng PASADO ang dalawa pang matatayog na haligi sa likod ng pelikulang ito na sumasalamin sa sarili nitong galing, laman, at dating. Sila ang nagsisilbing simbolo ng pelikulang ito.”

Sabay nang tinanggap ni Sir Ricky ang tropeo nila ng Superstar. Sa kanyang acceptance speech, sabi niya:  

“Ginawa namin ang Himala noong 1982—sa budget na 2.7 million pesos—sa loob ng dalawang buwan, kalaban ang walang tigil na pag-ulan, bagyo, iba’t ibang klaseng sakit, flu, dysentery, mga away sa set dahil sa nawawalang panty o continuity. Pero masayang isipin na after 26 years ay napapansin pa rin siya at nabibigyan ng parangal …

“Kung wala si Nora walang Himala. Binuo namin ang Himala na siya lang ang nasa isip namin. Sinulat ko ’yon para kay Nora noong 1976. Kung naririto si Nora, alam kong pasasalamatan niya ang lahat ng tao na, sa walang tigil na akyat-baba ng buhay at pelikula, walang-sawang naniwala at tumangkilik sa kanya hanggang ngayon … ”

Maraming salamat sa bumubuo ng PASADO.

Some sidelights of interest to Noranians:

·        Sa intermission sa pagitan ng concert at awards proceedings, pinatugtog ang tatlong unang tracks ng Habang Panahon CD ni Ate Guy. Isa ang komedyanteng si Eugene Domingo sa nakapansin sa pamilyar na tinig ni Ate Guy, nabanggit ni Sir Ricky. Agad ding nakilala ni German Moreno ang tinig ng kaibigan. "Batang-bata pa ang boses ni Nora," komento pa ni Sir Ricky. Inanunsiyo ang bagong CD ni Ate Guy.

·        Isang gurong miyembro ng PASADO ang tumayong “Nora Aunor” buong gabi, mula nang mag-comment si Eugene Domingo na ka-height nito si Ate Guy.

·        Sumuporta sa awards night ang mga Noranian mula sa Federation, GANAP, at ICON. Hindi nagkulang sa cheering squad.

·        Sa binasang roster of PASADO best actress winners, special mention si Ate Guy bilang huling binanggit:  “AT ANG NAG-IISANG SUPERSTAR, si Ms. Nora Aunor …”

“We were shooting iyong funeral scene,” pagkukuwento ni Joel Lamangan,
casting at crowd director, at gumanap din bilang pari. “Take one lang
dahil gagabihin na. Gumuhit si [Ishmael Bernal] sa lupa, Guy, sabi
niya, guguhit ako dito, naka-crane shot ako, maglalakad kayo,
pagdating mo dito sa guhit, paglapit sa’yo ni Gigi (Dueñas, gumanap na
Nimia), luluha ka sa kaliwang mata.

“Takot na takot ako. Sabi ko, Nora, ’day, kelangang magawa mo. Gagawin ko po, sabi niya.

“Umpisa na. Action! Tamang-tamang pagdating nga ni Nora sa guhit at
paglapit ni Gigi, pumatak ang mga luha niya sa kaliwang mata.
Napapalakpak ako sa husay. Naging Noranian ako after that!”

Katotohanan lagi ang gusto ni Ishmael Bernal. Ito ang lagi niyang
sinasabi sa akin, bilang scriptwriter ng pelikula. “Ricky, gawin
nating minimalist ang pelikula. Tanggalin mo ang mga taba at
burloloy.”

Ito lang ang natatandaan kong nagkaroon ako ng argumento sa kanya
dahil sabi ko’y baka maging masyadong deretsahan ang lines. Pero iyon
ang gusto niya, sabi niya, deretsuhin mo na ang pilosopiya...

Pero sa kalahatan ay natutuwa ako sa mga discussion namin ni Ishma
dahil sinulat ko ang Himala sa isang panahong kinukuwestiyon ko ang
Diyos, ang pamahalaan, at maging ang ilang mga paniniwalang nakagisnan ko. Ang mga inhustisya at paghihirap na dinaanan ng mga mamamayan ng Cupang ay dinaanan ko rin sa sarili kong buhay, at masasabi kong ako man, noong mga panahong iyon, ay naghihintay din ng himala.
--Excerpt from “Ang Paggawa ng Himala”

Learn more amusing secrets and untold stories behind the making of
Himala in this new article written by Ricky Lee, included in the
special edition of Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, the
ground-breaking anthology first published in 1988 that put together
Lee's journalistic essays, film script and short fiction.

Tatang will be released later this month and will be launched at
Powerbooks Megamall on May 31, Sunday.

Aside from the full screenplay of Himala, the book also contains
previously unpublished photos taken during the actual shoot of the
film, catching superstar Nora Aunor, Ishmael Bernal, Joel Lamangan and the production staff at work.

Regular price of the book is P450. However, there will be a
P70-discount for every advance copy pre-ordered from Writers Studio
Philippines. Please contact Jerry thru (02) 928-9557, 0921-7849363,
0917-5331948, or e-mail: writers.studio12@gmail.com.

The second edition of Ricky Lee’s Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon will be launched on May 31, 2009 (Sunday), 3 p.m. at Powerbooks, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

The book contains fiction and nonfiction works of the master screenwriter, as well as the complete screenplay of the classic Filipino film Himala, recently awarded the CNN Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time. More than 50 photos from the film plus a collection of photos by Chanda Romero and Richard Gomez are featured in the book.

Ricky Lee is the author of the bestselling novel Para Kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin) and the scriptwriting manual Trip to Quiapo.

Best-selling author and scriptwriter Ricky Lee will be coming out in May with a special edition of Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, the classic anthology that broke convention by combining an author’s journalism, film and literature in one book.

Si Tatang..., which first came out in 1988, is a collection of Lee’s reportage, interviews and short fiction, including “Servando Magdamag” and “Kabilang sa mga Nawawala.” It also features the full-screenplay of the Nora Aunor-starrer Himala, which recently won CNN Viewers’ Choice as the Best Asia Pacific Film of All Time, besting Akira Kurosawa and Wong Kar Wai films in the process. It has been required reading in schools and a common missing/lost item in school libraries.

When it was originally published in 1988, Lee went back to his sources and updated his journalistic articles written earlier. This special edition of Si Tatang... will follow Lee’s unconventional journalistic tradition with further updates on the interview articles more than two decades after it was first published. For instance, three interviews of Jacklyn Jose—from the young promising starlet to the critically acclaimed actress to the sensitive mature thespian that she is now. Moreover, additional, new photographs will complement the essays, stories and scripts.

Ricky Lee is also the author of Trip to Quiapo, a Filipino classic text on scriptwriting. His writing is characterized by a rare combination of critical acclaim and popular following. Critic Isagani Cruz credits Lee for creating “through an unconventional use of Filipino, a new way of looking at our everyday world…” And here’s what National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera has to say about the forthcoming special edition of Si Tatang... and its author:

Sa antolohiyang ito, walang duda na ang pinakadakilang himala ng ating panahon ay ang manunulat na si Ricardo Lee. Magaling siyang kuwentista. Bilang mananaysay, malaman ang kanyang mga sanaysay. Batbat ng kabatiran ang kanyang mga screenplay.

Maurirat ang kanyang mga interbyu. Bawat anyo ng pagsusulat na kanyang hawakan ay nagpapakilala ng kahusayan ng kanyang panulat at ng malalim na pagkabatid sa mga suliranin ng tao at ng lipunang ginagalawan nito. Kung ihahanay natin siya sa kanyang mga kapanahon, namumukod ang kanyang talino at talento. Ang muling paglilimbag sa Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon ay okasyong dapat ipagdiwang ng mga dati nang mambabasa ng awtor at ng mga bagong mambabasa na dadanas sa bagong panahon sa himalang ang pangalan ay Ricardo Lee.

Ricky Lee’s successful first novel Para kay B (O kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin) continues to capture the readers’ imagination and has already been reprinted after just three months since it was launched.

Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon will be launched on May 31, 2009 (Sunday), 3 p.m. at Powerbooks, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Discounted bulk orders and autographed advance copies can be pre-ordered through the Writers Studio. Contact Jerry at 0921-7849363 / 0917-5331948 / 9289557 or through e-mail <writers.studio12@gmail.com>.

What does Ate Guy have to do with Para kay B, the first novel of Mr. Ricky Lee? None really, except for the special dedication on my copy of the book that says: Para kay B, at para kay Guy!Imagine my surprise when I read that! Very sweet! Obviously, Mr. Ricky knew then that I am a Noranian. Sincere thanks to a Noranian friend who told Mr. Ricky that I am eagerly waiting for his Nora Aunor biography.
 
If nothing else, the dedication proved again the friendly connection between Mr. Ricky and Ate Guy. From the Himala days (when he insisted that only Nora Aunor was to play the role of Elsa), Mr. Ricky has always been an ardent supporter of Ate Guy (and vice versa). Up to this day, the two maintain a true friendship, which is based on mutual respect (career and personal wise). When others don’t give a hoot, Mr. Ricky will come out in defense of Ate Guy. He also lends support to projects/events which aim to promote the artistry of Nora Aunor. Thank you, Mr. Ricky Lee.

Come to think of it, hindi nga kaya naisip ni Mr. Ricky si Ate Guy sa papel ni “B”? Posible ito dahil si “B” ay magaling din umarte.

Ohhh, I remember something now. There’s a small trace of Ate Guy in the book. One of the main characters, “Irene,” who has a photographic memory uttered famous movie lines, two of which were “Walang Himala!”and“My brother is not a pig!” No need to say who made these lines famous and in which movies they were from, right?

“Aswang”

The second novel to be released is Aswang—a political satire. Merong connect ito kay Ate Guy kasi isang pulis na Noranian ang isa sa mga characters. Hmmm … interesting. I can’t wait to read it.

Artwork by Mark Cruz

As a Noranian, I am overwhelmed to read all the news, articles, and commentaries about Himala’s latest conquer: the CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time. It was an unexpected but nevertheless a sweet victory, especially that we were all involved in making it happen. It is a shame though that we had to wait for another international recognition to make us see again the light of day in terms of acknowledging the Filipino films that should make us proud but irrespective, and even with the presence of still nonbelievers, the Philippines and the great Filipino artists behind the film Himala had made another indelible mark in world cinema. 

Notwithstanding all the geniuses, artists, and workers behind this great film, I would like to make a special tribute to the true “face” of Himala, the only exemplary figure that everyone instantly associates the film with. Mr. Ricky Lee already said it, “Si Guy ang Himala.” Finally, finally ... due credit is given. And who else would contest this when it was the writer/creator himself who proclaimed it? So much has been said about Nora’s acting or “non-acting” in Himala and we can go on for ages discussing this so l will stop here. Let’s just say that Nora definitely deserves all those praises. The film itself proclaimed this too in the words of Ricky Lee as sounded by the character of Orly in one of his dialogues: “Mahusay na artista si Elsa.” Nora is Elsa. Elsa is Nora. Nora Aunor ... the greatest Filipino actor of all time, so far as I’m concerned. Well, I am a true-blue Noranian so enough said ...

Noranians rejoiced as this indeed is one of the best Noranian times. Suddenly, we were engulfed with a barrage of free publicity and reawakening of highest level for our dear Nora Aunor. I cannot remember the last time we had a true cause for a celebration like this. What is amazing is that Nora herself didn’t have to do a thing for all these to happen, not even a finger for her to lift. No publicity machinery from the Big production companies. How and why is this so? Because Nora has done all the magnanimous work already, 26 years ago. She has planted the seed and I suppose we can call this as harvest time now, which will go on for more years and future generations to come. I’m sure that Nora is elated and grateful about this new recognition though she would not be the type to brag about it or anything really for that matter. So we will let her sit back, watch, and listen as others like me feel proud on her behalf.
   
There were skeptics, sour grapes, and plain whiners. Better to ignore them, I think. I’d rather pay attention to what the more credible, reliable, intelligent, and most of all unbiased people have to say about Nora, especially those who even came forward to declare that they are Noranians, not in the fan-like way as I do, but in the name of true honest respect for Nora’s artistry. And their names will be added to the “elite” list, which by the way already included some National Artists.

An official “Noranian” admission from Ms. Imee Marcos is most welcome. She studied arts. Surely she would recognize a genuine artist when she encounters one. Also last night, I was able to listen to Ricky Lee’s interview in DZRH. The interviewer, the founder of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) herself, Ms. Cecile Guidote Alvarez, announced it for everyone to hear that she is also a Noranian.

But more than that, Ms. Alvarez recalled fond memories of working with Nora in theater during the times when they did Trojan Women. According to her, Nora did the play in an alternate actress role for FREE ... and this is in the interest of helping some organization. Also goes without saying—her passion for doing what she loves to do and doing it as one true artist would.
 
Hearing this sounded like music to the ears of a Noranian like me for this basically is what Nora’s detractors and nonbelievers have taken for granted all these years. Despite all Nora’s follies, she has that genuine concern to help. It was not put-on. And she will not tell. It will just unfold by its own free will. In time, I hope that more Nora anecdotes like this will be discovered and written. The True Life story of La Aunor—that’s what I yearn to read because then, I believe that it will all make more sense ... kung bakit “si Guy ang Himala.” I can’t wait for Mr. Ricky Lee, another humble artist himself and Nora’s official biographer, to start writing the first page.